IN ANTICIPATION of the continued growth of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) industry, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said it is looking to establish one-stop shops in at least four regions.

In an interview, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the one-stop shops will be set up in the National Capital Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon.

"Initially, we will establish them in regions with heavy concentration of POGOs," said Bello.

The Labor chief said the one-stop shops will house agencies needed by POGO workers in legalizing their employment.

"Among them are Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Bureau of Immigration, and DOLE," said Bello.

He said that any prospective POGO worker may avail of the one-stop shop services as long as they are eligible to work in the country.

"The policy remains that no Alien Employment Permit (AEP) will be issued to any foreigner if the work the foreigner will do here can be done by Filipino," stressed Bello.

To note, POGO refers to a company that offers and participates in offshore gaming services by providing games to players, taking bets, and paying the winning players.

The industry has recently seen a boom in the Philippines, thus prompting an influx of Chinese workers in the country. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)